Developing apparatus



June 16, 1931. R; F A| |N DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 26, 1927" W QM Patented June 16, `1931 UNITED 'sTATEs EICIIAED FEED ALLIN, E NEW YORK, N.'Y., AssIGNoE rro EUGENE DIE'rzGEN CoM- PANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A ooEEoEATIoN 0E DELAWARE DEVELPING AEPAEATIIS Application led `October 26, 1927. Serial No. 228,719.

Myinvention relates to apparatus for developing. light-sensitive material such as paper films, textile material and the like, particularly light-copying paper, which are des veloped by the action of alkaline gases or alkaline solutions.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an apparatus for developing a relatively .long strip of light-sensitive material,

10. such as paper, in a closed cabinet by means hends devices arranged to prevent the escape 1 of developing medium, preferably developing gases, wherein the strip is fed in a continuous and uninterrupted manner through the cabinet, andthe construction compreof the objectionable. gases -or fumes While permitting the passage of the strip to be del l veloped through the cabinet,

Another object of my invention resides in 3 the provision of a developing apparatus of the continuous type wherein the strip of material to be developed is fed uninterruptedly through the cabinet which contains the developing fumes, and wherein the entrance and 5 exits for 'the strip passing through the developing cabinet are constructed and arranged. to provide substantially openings cooperating with the movlng strip of material to be developed and which are aro rangedto prevent the escape of the gases at the openings while permittingthe feed of therefrom, the auxiliary chambers constitut- An ancillary object,l

ing airing chambers. resides in providing the discharge airing eabnet, at thedischarge end of the apparatus, with a suction chamber adapted to-remove of apparatus.

gas type occluded gases from the developed paper so that such gases will not be discharged into the atmosphere of the developing apparatus.

Additional objects of my invention reside in the particular means disclosed for sealing Y the entrance and exit to the developing and` airing chambersgwhile at the same time permitting the feed of the strip of material to be developed, or developed therethrough.

These and other objects of my invention will be apparent from a perusal of the following specifications when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing where- The ligure represents a side sectional View of the preferred form of my continuous type In general the light-sensitive type of paperwhich is adapted to be used in conjunctionwith my present invention .is developed by means of either alkaline fumes or by means of contact with alkaline liquid, such as ammonia. I have illustrated my invention in connection with the development of the paper by means of alkaline gases or fumes generated within the chamber. In my present invention, the paper to be developed may be conducted directly from a printing machine so that the pr1nted paper may be led directly from the printer into the developer, thus establishing continuous printing and developing, or it may be led directly from the printed roll. In the present instance I have, illustrated the latter' operation, but merely for convenience of description. In

my present invention, the material to be de# veloped is conducted in a continuousananner through the cabinet wherein the developing fumes are generated, the paper being developed as it passes through this chamber. The paper will be developed'as it passes through the developing chamber at a rate of i about 8 feet of. paper per minute. The developed paper as it issues from the developing cabinet will be in a dry condition, so that the copy will be absolutely true and be free from wrinkles. At the same time, by reason ,of my improved invention, the developing will be carried on in a continuousmanner and in such a way as to prevent the escape of objectionable gases into the atmosphere adjacent to the apparatus, and this includes thel elimination of occluded gases which tend to adhere to the surface of the paper as it issues from the machine. In this manner all traces of the developing gases in the vicinity of the apparatus are removed.

Referring now to the details of the drawing, my improved device comprises the supports 2 which may be of any desired type, and on which is mounted a relatively long horizontal cabinet tot desirable material. This cabinet is preferablyr provided with a removable top 6 which may be hinged there- In addition the cabinet is provided at its ends with partitions 8 and 10 and 12 and 14, arranged in pairs, the partitions 8 and 10 having openings therein adjacent to the top of the cabinet and these partitions are disposed at the exit end ot the cabinet. The partitions 12 and 14 have their openings. arranged adjacent to the bottom of the cabinet and these partitions are disposed at the inlet the cabinet 4; l have provided a roll end ot the machine. lFor conveniencel ot illustration, l show the front part oit the cabinet as provided with a feeding table 16 attached thereto and provided with a bracket arm 18 for roll 2O ot the paper which has alreadyv been printed and which is already to be developed. lternatively, this Yfeeding table may be replaced by the printed machine itself so that the paper 2O may enter directlv from the printing machine into the developing cabinet l. At the entrance end ot 22 under which the paper to be developed passes. mie openings in the partitions 12 and are directly opposite the underside o l this roll 22.

rThe space between the partitions 12 and 1-1 is arranged to provide an ante chamber or airing chamber which comprises a chainber ot double walled construction whereby to prevent the escape of gases or fumes in the developingl chamber to the outside -ot' the mal, l chine through the inlet openings foi the reed l have provided these openings in partitions 12 and 14 with means tor preventing 'the escape ot the gases from the developing chamber through these openings, while the light-sensitive material to be developed is passing therethrough. 1While this means may comprehend a number of constructions adapted to be associated with and cooperated with the strip ot-light-sensitive paper traveling therethrough. ll prefer to utilize the means shown in my present drawing. since the same comprehends a. most simple, yet eliective. arrangement :tor accomplishing this article. To this end ll have provided the partition 1l. which is the outermost partition at the entrance end of the machine, with a hanging door 24 which is pivoted at 2G to the bottoni edge of the partition 14. rl`he lower edge of this hanging door 24 is provided with a packing or gasket of preferably resilient or yieldable material, such for instance as rubber, or even felt may suf'lice, which is adapted to drag or wipe. against or along the upper tace of the strip oit material which is passing through whereby to forni a sealed contact with said face so as to prevent the escape of the gases therethrough. T his door 24 is held against the traveling strip by means of a coiled spring 28. I have sealed the lower face of the traveling strip of material 20 by means of an upstanding partition 30 preterably secured to the lower portion of the partition 14, and which partition 30 is edged along its top where the similar gasket or packing 32 contacts with the underside ot the continuous traveling strip ot paper to be developed. In this manner this sealed opening or gas type inlet permits the feed or passage ot the paper 20 therethrough, while at the same time prevents the escape of the gases therethrough.

rlhe opening in the partition 12, which forms the other wall or the ante chamber at the front of the machine, is likewise provided with means for prevention of the gases therethrough, while permitting the feed or passage ofthe traveling strip of paper there through. ln this instance l provide the front ot the partition wall 12 with a relatively wide block 3l formed on its face with a relatively wide and thick packing or sealing strip or gasket of suitable material 36 such as rubber or the like which may yield. but which at the same time grips and hugs the traveling strip of paper or material passing thereby and prevents the escape of gases along the underside oit this paper and out through this opening. Cooperating with this packing 36 1 provide an upper block 88 of some weight arranged to slide between the partition 12 and the guide 40, which block 38 has its under surface taced with a relatively wide and thick strip ot rubber or other yieldable packing material suitable to prevent the escape ot the gaseous developing fumes and not being corroded or affected thereby. Since this block is gravity operated it will press at all times with sufficient 'torce upon the upper surface of the material or strip being developed so as to prevent the passage oit the gases through the opening and during the inward travel ot the strip 20. rlhis construction is peculiarly effective because of the yieldable nature ot the packing 36 on the end of block 3st, and the similar packing on the under surface ot the gravity actuated block 38. 1t desired blocks 34 and 38 may be pressed toward each other resilient-ly as by means of a spring iiistead of gravity. rlfhe weight of the block 38 is suiciently selected to permit the 'feed of the strip, yet, at the same time etlecting a gas tight seal.

rl"he inner chamber of the cabinet t con stitutes the developing chamber. lt is reladistributed therein in a manner so as to cause the paper strip to wind back and `forth in the developing chamber as it travels over the pan 42 which generates the gaseous fumes. These fumes rise to the top of the chamber, and for this reason the entrance for the paper 20 is located at the lower portion of the chamber, while the exit is located at the top of this chamber. The exit end of the apparatus is constructed substantially like the entrance end, except that I prefer to reverse the disposition and arrangement of the seal' means through the partitions 8 and 10; that is, in this instance I have shown the vity actuated block 5Q, and the under block 52, with their yielding packing acings, as sealing the opening in the outermost partition 10 and the innermost partition' as be ing provided with a pivoted mounted door 54, faced with a coiled spring 56 or keeping the door in normally upright position with the packing di-V rectly against the underside of the discharging paper strip 20, and the stationary strip 56 edged with a similar gasket 58 wiping "against the upper side of the discharging strip 20. It must be appreciated that I may reverse this arrangement of sealing means to accord with the arrangement shown at the entrance end of the machine as desired. The

space between the partitions 8 and y10,- at theinside end of the machine, constitutes an airing chamber and permits the occluded gases to be wiped partially from the developed strip. In this instance the first packing members 56 and 58 will wipe practically all of the occluded gases from the surface of the stri and will prevent them from entering the airing chamber, while the second sealing means and 52 will catch the greater part of the residue of these occluded gases, and will retain them in the airing'cha'mbei'. In this connection it be understood that hlhe arrangement o e sealing gaskets, w e perthe discharge o the strip there i through, will in the main practically prevent n1the esca of any gases therethrough; those gasesw ch do escape will be byi'reason of occlusion.

In order to practically remove any and all traces'of the occluded gas, I'have disposed at the exit end of the strip 20, adjacent the partition 10, a second airing chamber which includes an overhead funnel-shaped hood 54, which leads to a section device for removing any gases The extreme end of this hood is open to permit the discharging strip 20 to be Wound about any type of winding device 56.

This winding device constitutes a rotatable ket and providedwith a Y -printing along, as by wiping developing chamber, and as 'the strip passes v uninterruptedly therethrough, it will be developed b the generation of the developing gases, an as hereinbefore pointed out, these gases will be confined within. the developing chamber, and will not escape through the inlet and exit openingsof the machine. At the same time any occluded gases which chance to pass out through the machine are removed by means of a suction device 54. l

It will be apparent that, instead of Vusing gases for the source of development, I may provide means for applying generating liquid to the traveling strip of paper and utilize inlet and exit packing means'for preventing the escape of gases generated within this chamber, but I prefer in this continuous process with my present type of machine, to de lvelop by means of the gases, because the paper remains dry, Will not run and will notv It will be apparent that I have provided a most simple, yet effectivev type of device for continuously developing long strips of printed light-sensitive material, such as paper of the t indicated and that by mason of the nove feeding arrangement, in connection with' the inlet and exit openings, I have prevented the escape of the developing gases during the travel of the strip through the machina It will lalso be apparent that by reason of my continuous machine., I am en` abledto combine the machine with the present type of printing .machine whereby the paper may pass directly from the velo l machin and be delivered in a dr un e, y, gases,vwhi1e at the mme time the escape of the developing gases, along this continuous process, is-preve It will thus be seen that in accorda-nce with my present invention, I am enabled continuously to feed along a long sheet or 0011-. tinuous strip of paper to be developed, while subjecting it to gaseous developing fumes as it travels and then subsequently to remove substantially all of the occluded gases from the face of the rdeveloped strip as it passes members which not condition and free of developing 1 machine into 'and through the del onlyl remove these occluded gases, but pre vent their escape, and thence I am enabled to ass the developed strip through an isolated y of air which, in the apparatus set forth, constitutes the airing chamber or chambers, and one of these chambers may be provided withsuction means for positively removing or sucking any residual gases which may hap- Ell Ell

pen to be present on the surface ot the paper. ln this manner'the developed paper will be practically tree ci any ot the developing fumes as it passes from the developing apparatus..

Having thus described my invention -vvhat l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 2 l., ln a device ot the class described, the combination ot a cabinet having a developing chamber, means tor providing said chamber with developing gas, an airing chamber located adjacent said developing chamber, said developing chamber and said airingv4 chamber having communicating openings `lor the passage ot light-sensitive sheet material therethrough, means torrfeeding said material uninterruptedly through said chambers in sequence, and means associated with the openings for said chambers tor preventing the escape oi" gases therethrough while permitting the passage of the material.

2. ln a device of the class described, the combination ot a cabinet provided with partitions forming an intermediate chamber and auxiliary chambers at the ends thereof, said partitions having openings therein, the openn ings at the entrance partitions being adjacent to the botto out the intermediate chamber and the openings at the opposite end being adjacent to the top of the intermediate chamber, means in said central chamber pro; viding developinggas, a power driven winding reel adapted to have a stri of light-sensitive material wound therea out whereby to feed the strip of paper through said chambers and through the openings thereof, the openings of said chambers being faced with packing material, adapted to engage the opposite faces of the strip as it passes therethrough, and means for yieldingly pressing one of said packing faces toward the other.

3. In a device` of the class described, the combination of a cabinet having partitions forming a developing chamber, an airing chamber and an exhaust chamber in sen queme, means for uninterruptedly passing sensitive sheet material through said devel- 'oping chamber, said airing chamber, and

through said exhaust chamber, means for creating an atmosphere ot a suitable developing gas in said developing chamber, means for en-` f accenna developing gas, ot means tor feeding a sheet ot light-sensitive material through said developing chamber, means tor passing the developed sheet between yieldable wiping members t'or removing occluded` gases trom the sheet, and means lor passing the developed sheet through an airing chamber 5. ln an apparatus t'or developing light sensitive material by the action oit chemically active gas, the combination oi' means forming va cabinet provided with a developing chamber containing a developing gas, means `lor passingv light sensitive sheet material in a predetermined path therethrough so as to be acted upon by the gas, and a-hood havin@` a connection to a suction exhaust tor removing the gas escaping from the cabinet with the developed light sensitive material.

6. ln an apparatus tor developing light sensitive material by the action ot chemicallyy active gas, the combination oi? means torming a cabinet provided with a developing chamber containing a developing gas, means tor passing light sensitive sheet material in a predetermined path therethrough. so as to be acted upon by the gas,and a hood disposed immediately over the discharge oi said cabinet, said hood having a connection. with a. suction exhaust to remove escaping gas.

7. ln a device tor developing light sensitive material by the action ot a chemicallyv active gas, the combination ot means forming a/substantially air-tight developing chamber, means associated with said chamber tor passing light sensitive material therethrough, means tor subjecting the material while passing through said chamber to the action ot a developing gas, and means for airing the developed sheet materia-l after passing through said gas.

8. ln a device for developing light sensitive material by' the action ot a chemically active gas, the combination of means forming a, substantially air-tight developing chamber, means associated with said chamber for passing light sensitive material therethrough, means tor subjecting the material while passing through said chamber to the action ot a developing gas, and means for suclingcceluded gases trom said developed sheet material after passing through said gas.

9. apparatus ot thecharacter described comprising two compartments, means in one otsaid compartments tor generating developlng gas, means tor continuously drawing paper to be developed through both said compartments, sealed means through which the paper is introduced into and removed from the developing compartment, and means in the second compartment tor removing trom the paper any developing gas adhering thereto,l

10.. ln a device of the class described, the combination oit a cabinet having partitions forming a developing chamber and an airing Dit chamber, means for unnterruptedly passingl light sensitive sheet material through sai developing chamber and through said airing chamber in sequence, means 1n the developmg chamber yfor creating an atmosphere comprisin ammonia fumes in the developing cham er, means engaging the opposed faces of saidy sheet as it passes from said developing chamber into said airing chamber for the purpose ofwiping from the sheet material gases clinging thereto and to prevent the escape of fumes from the developing chamber Yand meansV engaging the opposed faces of said sheet material as itis discharged from the airing chamber for preventing the escape of gases from said airin chamber.

lIn witness whereof, I have ereunto subscribed my name.

RICHARD FRED ALLIN. 

